Lover traumatised by suicide

Crime & Courts / 3 June 2012, 4:04pm

TRIBUNE REPORTER

The Durban woman who was suing a prominent Umkomaas doctor for R2 million for allegedly stealing her virginity and breaking a promise to marry her, is said to be distraught after her former lover’s death at the Wild Coast Sun on Thursday.

Kuben Nair, 40, was found hanged in his hotel room by resort staff after checking in by himself on Wednesday, according to police.

Earlier in the day a local newspaper had reported that he was facing a lawsuit from the unnamed female advocate.

It was reported that the woman had blamed the doctor for “ruining her virginity” and breaching a verbal agreement made three years ago that he would marry her.

The woman was claiming R1 million for loss of financial benefits she would have had if she was married to Nair, R800 000 for damage to her dignity and R200 000 in expenses she incurred while planning the wedding.

Nair, a divorced father of one, reportedly denied that he had promised to marry the woman.

Logan Govender, the attorney representing Nair’s former lover, said his client was “highly emotional and traumatised” following the doctor’s death. He said he had not received further instructions.

“This is a very sensitive matter. I haven’t spoken to my client about what she wants to do next… it’s hard not to be emotional in a situation like this,” Govender said.

Sandi Archary, Nair’s attorney, declined to comment.

Yesterday, thousands converged on the Craigieburn Sports Grounds for Nair’s funeral where family, former patients and friends paid tribute to the doctor.

Lifelong friend Suren Govender said Nair had touched the lives of many of the residents of Umkomaas.

Many former patients spoke of Nair’s humanitarian nature and his service to the poorest of the poor in his community.

“He loved helping people. If you didn’t have money he wouldn’t charge you.

“He treated so many of the poor from around this area free. He also refused to charge the elderly,” said one former patient.

“His good nature is the reason so many people have turned up at his funeral.”

IFP MP Narend Singh, a close friend of Nair and of his family, described the doctor’s death as “a black day for Umkomaas”.

“I followed his career and I have always been very proud that a local boy from Umkomaas could do as well as he did,” Singh said.